Darlene Losier – Registered Physiotherapist, C.E.O
Darlene graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Physiotherapy in 1998 as well as a Bachelor of Kinesiology in 1996. She has completed the McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program, Scalp and AFCI Acupuncture courses and uses Acupuncture extensively in her practice. She has completed her Level 2 Manual Therapy courses and also has training in Active Release Techniques (A.R.T.)™, Concussion Management, Guasha, Cupping and Kinesio-taping. She has developed an integrated treatment approach in her experienced orthopedic practice and enjoys seeing her clients achieve their goals.
Professionally, she is a Peer Assessor with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. She has volunteered on the Acupuncture Division Executive of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) for 18 years as both Newsletter Editor and Treasurer. She volunteers locally as a Director on the Caledonia BIA Board of Directors, helping local businesses. She has published articles in the Interdivisional Review Journal of the CPA and the Acupuncture Division Newsletter.
In her spare time Darlene enjoys spending time with her family, escape rooms, spinning and geocaching.
Heather MacKay – Registered Physiotherapist, C.E.O.
Heather is a Registered Physiotherapist and a 1998 graduate of McMaster University. In her practice she integrates a unique blend of Contemporary Techniques combining electro- acupuncture, soft tissue techniques (Active Release Techniques™, Guasha and cupping), manual therapy and Stott™ Pilates spinal rehabilitation methods. This integrated approach focuses on achieving maximal results in the reduction of pain, and the enhancement of optimal biomechanics and muscular performance.
Heather is a clinical instructor with the McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program, since 2000. She completed her Neurofunctional Sports Performance Practitioner in 2015 and enjoys treating patients for sports performance. She has attended many post-graduate courses including Stott™ Pilates Certifications, Active Release Techniques seminars, Contemporary Electro-Acupuncture for Sports Injuries/Headaches/ TMJ/and Functional Integrated Techniques, Scalp Acupuncture; Concussion Management; Massage Cupping Techniques; Mulligan Snags and Nags, Orthotic Therapy and Gait Analysis seminars, and Kinesio-Taping courses.
Heather has been extensively involved in volunteering for her profession as Chair of the Acupuncture Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, Secretary to the Canadian Contemporary Acupuncture Association and Education Rep with the International Acupuncture Association of Physical Therapists.
Living an active lifestyle herself full of skiing, hiking, yoga, golfing, boating and anything outdoors. Heather knows how important it is to be able to do the activities that keep you moving! She is passionate about helping her patients move towards a healthier lifestyle. Whether you are looking to get back to doing what you love or wanting to take on a new goal and try something new, Heather is ready to help get you there.
Tom Soules – Registered Physiotherapist
Tom completed his Masters degree in Physiotherapy at McMaster University after receiving an Honours Bachelors of Kinesiology also at McMaster. Tom was active in the health and wellness field for 5 years during his schooling to become a physiotherapist, helping people reach their goals as a certified personal trainer. Combining his background in exercise prescription, acupuncture, and manual therapy techniques, Tom seeks to use an integrative approach to help each patient reach their goals. Tom has completed the McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture course, upper extremity advanced orthopaedic levels 1-3, as well as scalp acupuncture.
Outside of Physio Tom enjoys playing soccer and volleyball and successfully completed the 2015 Road to Hope Half Marathon.
Chess Hodge – Registered Physiotherapist
Chess graduated from Coventry University, England, with a Bachelor of Sciences in Physiotherapy in 2008. Since then, Chess has worked across a variety of physiotherapy specialties, with a keen focus on orthopedics and musculoskeletal injuries. She has experience with extremely acute injuries from her time spent working in the emerge and court side with a local basketball team. Chess has completed the McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture course, K-taping course along with shoulder courses in England.
Outside of Physio, Chess enjoys getting to know her new home country and all that Ontario has to offer: camping, hiking, (hibernating!) and spending time with her Canadian family and friends.
Ruchita Patel – Registered Physiotherapist
Ruchita graduated in 2014 with a Bachelors of Physiotherapy, from CHARUSAT University in India. After graduation she came to Canada as a student to pursue further education in Health, Wellness and Fitness in Mohawk college where she learned further forms of exercises and personal training principles. Most of her experience has been working with seniors in long-term care homes as well as individuals of all ages and abilities within physiotherapy clinics. Her passion to become a Physiotherapist has been rooted at helping people to restore their normal function and mobility, so they can live their best life.
Her ability to speak many different languages, including Gujarati, Hindi, little Punjabi and some words in Tamil, allow her to connect and communication with many different cultures. She continually enjoys seeking out new courses and continuing education to help her stay current and build her treatment techniques in order to help her patients.
Outside of Physiotherapy, Ruchita enjoys spending time with her Husband and a younger brother. She is “very Indian at heart” and loves to cook Indian dishes in her spare time. She is enjoying the experience of Canada and a new culture.
Mara Kendall – Registered Physiotherapist
Mara graduated from McMaster University with a master’s degree in Physiotherapy in 2020 following a Bachelor of Health and Physical Education and a minor in Gerontology at Laurentian University in 2018. Mara grew up in the northern community of Sudbury where she was heavily involved in competitive gymnastics which sparked her interest in physiotherapy and sports rehabilitation.
Mara believes in an active approach to rehabilitation, with a focus on function integrated into assessment and treatment. Mara strives to help each client attain their specific goals and maximize their function in their day to day lives.
In her free time, Mara loves to be active and enjoy the outdoors. She loves to hike, run and spend quality time with her family and friends.
Adrienne Nichols – Registered Physiotherapist, Certified Hand Therapist
Adrienne Nichols is a graduate of the McMaster University Health Sciences Physiotherapy program. She has been a practicing physiotherapist since 1998 and has focused on hand therapy since 2000. Adrienne has been a Certified Hand Therapist since 2005.
As a hand therapist, Adrienne focuses her treatment on hand and wrist injury, ailment and disease. She has specialized skills in custom splinting (static and static progressive), serial casting, wound care, scar management, wound debridement, sensory testing, exercise prescription and patient education.
Types of conditions Adrienne treats, but not limited to, include fractures (surgical and non-surgical), flexor and extensor tendon repairs, Dupuytrens (surgical and Xiaflex), mallet fingers, joint dislocations, amputations, arthritis, boutonniere deformity, burns, carpal tunnel and other nerve entrapments, DeQuervains, muscular strains, ligament sprains, wounds and scars.
Sarah Howarth – Office Administrator, Physiotherapy Support Staff, Stott Pilates Instructor
Sarah was involved in competitive figure skating, track and field, baseball and basketball as a young girl and sports have always been a very prominent part of her life. This passion for sports initiated her interests in injury and rehabilitation and helped to pave the way for a career in the Physiotherapy field.
Sarah graduated from McMaster University in 2004 with an Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology. In 2012 Sarah became a Stott TM Certified Instructor. Since graduating she has been working the infield of rehabilitation and has been a member of the Haldimand Physio Team since 2011. Outside of work Sarah continues to enjoy sports and loves spending time with her husband and two young daughters on their small hobby farm.
Sonja Evans – Physiotherapy Support Staff, Pilates Coordinator / Pilates Instructor
Sonja has had a lifelong passion for fitness and wellness. She started teaching fitness classes at the age of 17 and personal training soon thereafter. She has a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education from McMaster University and is a Stott TM Pilates certified instructor.
She started working at Haldimand Physiotherapy Centre in 2003 and is one of the original team members.
Outside of work, she loves spending time with her husband and two daughters planning their next trip to Europe, watching their exciting Ringette games, and cooking great meals together.
Tabitha Hillmer – Physiotherapy Support Personnel and Front Desk Reception
Tabitha Hillmer is a Registered Kinesiologist and graduated with her degree in Kinesiology from the University of Windsor in 2017. She has been a member of our team since August of 2018.
Tabitha grew up participating in Highland Dancing, which is what sparked her interest in the rehabilitation field. Outside of work, Tabitha maintains an active lifestyle through hiking, and she also enjoys watching sports, such as tennis and lacrosse.
Lisa Moffat – Registered Massage Therapist
Lisa has been a Registered Massage Therapist for over 10 years. She provides therapeutic based treatments to a broad range of clients. Treatments will vary from pregnancy-related issues to MVA and workplace injuries, to sports injuries and headaches. She is also able to provide relief from stress with relaxation treatments and hot stone massage therapy. Her treatment room provides a warm, quiet and inviting environment for clients to relax and enjoy the full benefit of their massage.
Amber Snively – Registered Massage Therapist
Amber recognizes that our world is small when we can’t do the things we love because of pain and restriction. This understanding, along with evidence-informed strategies is the foundation of her treatment approach. Whether it be geared towards health promotion, injury prevention or recovery, surgical rehabilitation, or simply just relaxation; function, overall wellbeing, along with client education and autonomy are always a priority.
Since graduating with honours from Mohawk College’s Advanced Massage Therapy program in 2018, she has been working as a Registered Massage Therapist in private multidisciplinary practices with a diverse group of specialized practitioners. Because of this, she values the nuance that each discipline offers and has fostered a keen understanding of treating a wide range of acute and chronic injuries both independently and as part of a health-care team.
Amber considers herself a lifelong learner and is currently enrolled in the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture program at McMaster University. She will be implementing this into her practice by 2022.
Outside the clinic Amber enjoys staying active in the gym, on trails and in the garden. She also has an affinity for cooking, nutrition, and an appreciation for the world of wine and viticulture.
Erin Cambridge – Registered Massage Therapist
Erin has worked with several Muti-disciplinary clinics, with a focus on orthopedics and musculoskeletal injuries. She has experience with acute injuries and post-surgical treatment, especially, knee and hip replacements, as well as shoulder repair surgery.
She enjoys seeking out new courses and workshops to help her stay current and build her treatment techniques in order to help her patients.
Outside of Massage Therapy, Erin enjoys playing with her kids, husband and puppy, reading books and listening to true crime podcasts. She looks forward to helping her patients get back to doing what they love.
Elaine Dungey – Front Desk Reception
Elaine is the heart of our clinic and it is her smiling face that you will see first when you arrive. She has worked in the medical field for many years. She graduated from Humber College in 1982 receiving her Ambulance and Emergency Care Diploma. She worked as a paramedic in Grimsby and Hamilton for 7 years. After she left the ambulance field she worked with a family doctor in Burlington. She joined the Haldimand Physiotherapy team in 2004 and has been an integral part of our team ever since. Elaine is always looking forward to the May long weekend Food Truck Festival and Pillar Estates Winery. There’s nothing like a glass of wine, good food and good company!!
Edna James – Front Desk Reception
Edna has a passion for working with people and helping others. With almost 20 years of experience within the medical field, she strives to provide exceptional customer service and make people feel comfortable and welcomed.
In her free time, Edna loves reading James Patterson and John Grisham novels, traveling to the islands and spending time at a cottage.
Julia Ruddy – Physiotherapy Support Staff
Julia is a member of our physiotherapy support staff, and recently graduated with a diploma in Occupational Therapist Assitance/Physiotherapist Assitance (OTA/PTA) from Mohawk College in 2020.
Julia grew up in Caledonia and in her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, and hiking.